Special Poll
Trump Signals Opposition to Wind Energy Expansion in Second Term
President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday his intent to halt all new wind energy projects during his second term. Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “We’re going to try and have a policy where no windmills are being built. They don’t work without subsidy… You don’t want energy that needs subsidy.”
While Trump criticized wind power for its reliance on subsidies, data from the International Energy Agency shows fossil fuel subsidies reached record levels in 2022, with oil subsidies alone increasing by 85%.
Known for his long-standing criticism of renewable energy, Trump has pledged to prioritize policies that favor the fossil fuel industry. He has already tapped Chris Wright, a fracking CEO, as his pick for Energy Secretary.
Trump has been particularly vocal against wind power, repeatedly vowing to end offshore wind production, including pledges to issue an executive order on his first day in office. His opposition dates back years, when he campaigned against wind turbines near his golf course in Scotland, calling them unsightly. Trump has also linked offshore turbines to whale deaths, though the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has stated, “There are no known links between large whale deaths and ongoing offshore wind activities.”
The announcement has created uncertainty for renewable energy projects, with German energy firm RWE suggesting potential delays for its planned wind farm in the Gulf of Mexico. “The change of administration in the U.S. entails risks for the timely implementation of offshore wind projects,” RWE CFO Michael Müller said in November.
Despite Trump’s stance, energy experts believe the renewable energy sector’s growth, spurred under the Biden administration, is unlikely to reverse entirely. They predict continued momentum, though new policy directions may pose challenges for future projects.